UN Special Rapporteurs raise concerns on rights violations committed in PH using terror laws, counterinsurgency measures
UN Special Rapporteurs sent communications on October 23, 2023 to the Marcos Jr. government calling attention to human rights violations committed in the course of implementing the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020......»»
Clergy woman tells UN how Anti-Terror Act is used vs rights defenders
Human rights group Karapatan, said there are at least 91 individuals who have been charged with violations of the ATA and Republic Act No. 10168 or the law on the prevention and suppression of terrorist financing. There are also at least 27 political prisoners charged under both laws. The post Clergy woman tells UN how Anti-Terror Act is used vs rights defenders appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Meet the 4 activists charged with anti-terror law
At least 98 activists, humanitarian and church workers are facing Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 charges according to Karapatan. They described these laws as “twin terror laws” that are being used against activists, humanitarian workers and those who serve the welfare of the marginalized. The post Meet the 4 activists charged with anti-terror law appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Rights groups urge German, Czech Republic gov’ts to raise lack of accountability, continuing killings
Human rights group Karapatan urged the governments of Germany and the Czech Republic to raise concerns on the “dire lack of accountability and the continuing killings in the Philippines” as Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is on a state visit in the said countries. The post Rights groups urge German, Czech Republic gov’ts to raise lack of accountability, continuing killings appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
‘With guilty verdict of the International Peoples’ Tribunal, Marcos Jr. cannot deny rights violations in PH’
“The IPT belie Marcos Jr.’s posturing that his administration is different, that it has new ways to address the issues facing the country. But until the government changes its programs, rights violations will continue no matter how many foreign trips Marcos Jr. will do." The post ‘With guilty verdict of the International Peoples’ Tribunal, Marcos Jr. cannot deny rights violations in PH’ appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Rights group calls for deeper look into military’s reprisals vs. rights defenders
As the motion of reconsideration for the terror charges against Ken Rementilla and Jasmin Rubia was denied by an Antipolo prosecutor, human rights alliance Defend Southern Tagalog calls for accountability of notorious rights violators. The post Rights group calls for deeper look into military’s reprisals vs. rights defenders appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Rights groups score gov t for ‘whitewashing’ abuses ahead of UN rapporteur visit
Karapatan said on Sunday that even as the government has publicly welcomed the visit of the UN rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, it has also “disregarded, shrugged off, and rejected” previous findings by UN special rapporteurs on the country’s human rights situation......»»
‘Marcos Jr’s human rights committee will not address rights abuses’ – rights groups
The composition is the most fundamental defect of the Special Committee, agencies, which civil society organizations said, “not only failed to address the many human rights issues relating to the brutal ‘war on drugs’ and suppression of freedoms and dissent but are, in fact, part of the problem.” The post ‘Marcos Jr’s human rights committee will not address rights abuses’ – rights groups appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Significance of the country visit of UN SR for free expression and opinion to the PH
Human rights group emphasized the importance UN Special Rapporteur's visit, adding that this is the chance to show the international community that all is not well in the Philippines, and how current government policies, laws and programs have led to killings and various forms of human rights violations. The post Significance of the country visit of UN SR for free expression and opinion to the PH appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Councilor urges social media influencers to observe local laws
The Davao City councilor, Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, has urged social media influencers to familiarize themselves with local ordinances before promoting areas to their followers. Ocampo, who heads the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, appreciates the promotion of Davao City by social media influencers but emphasizes the importance of understanding local laws before attracting crowds to specific areas. He expressed gratitude for the promotion but highlighted the challenge of controlling the influx of people once a location is featured. Ocampo plans to collaborate with Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, Chair of the Committee on Tourism and Beautification, to accredit social media vloggers through the local government unit. He underscored the need for accredited vloggers, recognizing their contributions to the city and addressing any mistakes they might make. This initiative aims to balance recognition for positive actions with corrective measures for any missteps. The concerns arose in November 2023 when a Davao City-based environment group criticized a travel vlogger for promoting recreational activities in a river within the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed. Following a waste dumping incident on January 11, 2024, the group urged Dabawenyos, especially vloggers and influencers, to refrain from visiting protected areas for leisure. They emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting rules and regulations before endorsing specific parts of the city......»»
Groups to UN rapporteur: Urge PH gov’t to stop censorship, repeal terror law
“What we do is amplify the voices of the Filipino people. We are defending the truth and the rights yet we are the one being oppressed of these rights." The post Groups to UN rapporteur: Urge PH gov’t to stop censorship, repeal terror law appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
India: Laws Misused to Crack Down on Peaceful Dissent
(New York) - India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government is using abusive foreign funding laws, trumped-up financial investigations, and other means to unlawfully attack civil society groups, Human Rights Watch said today. The arbitrary use of the Foreign Contribution Regul.....»»
Human rights advocates seek UN support for abolition of NTF-ELCAC, anti-terror law
In a press release, the Philippine Universal Periodic Watch Review said that the delegation will be attending a session to testify on the “continuing human rights violations” under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. .....»»
Free expression under attack, artist groups urge UN to probe PH laws
“Our gravest concern now is the new policies which attack freedom of expression: specifically the Anti-Terror Law and Executive Order 70 which created the NTF-ELCAC. This emboldened state actors, such as the police and military to commit abuses on a scale last seen during the first Marcos administration.” The post Free expression under attack, artist groups urge UN to probe PH laws appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor
For Medy De Jesus, 74, a martial law survivor and member of human rights group Hustisya, the impending charter change could bring back another dictatorship and more human rights violations. The post Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Probe free speech violations, UN rapporteur urged
Various groups yesterday urged United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan to investigate violations on Filipinos’ rights to free speech and expression during her upcoming visit next week......»»
Gwen stops spring resort in Carmen due to environmental violations
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia has ordered a spring resort in Carmen, a northern town of Cebu, to stop its operations due to breaking environmental laws. In Executive Order No. 8, issued on May 3, 2024, the governor’s office mentioned several environmental violations at the Durano Eco Farm and Spring Resort in.....»»
Philippines announces decisive measures amid tensions with China
Manila [Philippines], March 28 (ANI): Amid the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr has announced decisive measures to protect his country's sovereignty and maritime rights while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Marcos, known as Bongbong, said that the measures, aimed at addressing what he said is the "open, unabating, and illegal" actions by China's Coast.....»»
Australia: Spotlight Rights at Summit with ASEAN
(Sydney) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should focus on human rights concerns and democratic backsliding at the upcoming summit with Southeast Asian leaders, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Albanese will host leaders from nine of the countries making up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the ASEAN-Australia Special Sum.....»»
6 UN experts sound alarm over Philippine government’s ‘unchecked’ anti-terror powers
The UN experts counted at least 24 alleged victims of rights violations from the government’s counter-terrorism efforts from 2019 to 2023 — which covers the second half of the Duterte administration and Marcos’ first year in office......»»
Japan Again Calls Out Chinese Government s Rights Abuses
Last week, during China's fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Japan expressed "concern about the human rights situation in China" and recommended that Beijing "protect the rights of the minorities, including Tibetans and Uyghurs ... guarantee the fundamental rights and freedom under the Hong Kong basic la.....»»